Veterans First Consulting Chin-Up Challenge raises the bar at first leg of 2026 Veteran Games

Previous records were smashed and over $12,000 was raised during a monumental two-day Chin-Up Challenge at the Veteran Games Heats on the Gold Coast.

The bootcamp-style series kicked off its fourth year at Broadwater Parklands, on the weekend of 20-21 June, with further heats to come in Darwin on September 18 and the national finals on the Sunshine Coast on October 24-25.

Veterans First Consulting returned as the presenting sponsor and their team was on the ground raising money to assist Veteran Support Force and the wider veteran community.

Members of the Veterans First team also buddied up to take on the grueling all-comers obstacle course and even had a crack at the hard core wall climbs and simulated firing range.  

For every chin-up completed during the 2026 Veteran Games series, Veterans First is donating $5, with their Hour of Power donations doubled to $10 per heave.

Across the two days on the Gold Coast, teams of veterans and civilians alike took on the challenge. The result?

• 1,920 chin-ups (that’s 128 every hour!)
• $12,660 raised, going straight back to the Veteran Games and future events
• Men’s record broken: 35 heaves by Quinten Stratford
• Women’s record broken: 33 heaves by Jade Henderson

Veterans First Co-founder Kevin Chapman, who competed with former ADF colleagues, was blown away by the camaraderie and fundraising results so far, noting that the Veteran Games is one of the most important events on the company's calendar.

“It means a lot to us to see everyone come together, reconnect, support each other, and enjoy the camaraderie - it's such a fantastic opportunity for us to bond with the community and be part of this important initiative which has had a genuine positive impact on Aussie veterans,” Mr Chapman said.

When they weren’t cheering on their teammates, the Veterans First crew could be spotted across the vendor village and competition areas answering queries about DVA claims assistance and chatting with current and ex-serving veterans.

If you or someone you know is struggling with the DVA claims process, contact one of the Veterans First advocates for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Bring on the Darwin and Sunshine Coast Veteran Games weekends and let’s keep the record-breaking heaves going!